Multi-object filtering with stochastic populations

Abstract

While the design of automated knowledge-based sensor scheduling is relevant to many multi-target detection and tracking problems, tracking algorithms are rarely built for this purpose and their outputs provide little flexibility for the design of sensor policies. In this paper, we present an estimation framework for stochastic populations in the context of multi-target estimation problems. Fully probabilistic in nature, it allows for the evaluation of the population of targets through statistical moments, as well as the assessment of sensor observations through information-theoretical gain functions. We present a principled solution derived from this framework addressing challenging multi-target scenarios involving missed detections and false alarms, the filter for Distinguishable and Independent Stochastic Populations, which propagates information on previously-detected targets as well as yet-to-be-detected targets while maintaining track continuity.